ALVA, Okla. -- Washburn baseball's offense produced early yet again to back up solid pitching performances by Jacob Head and Cole Warner as the Ichabods captured a 6-3 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma State on Thursday afternoon. With the win, Washburn improves to 3-2 on the season while the Rangers fall to 1-3.
The Ichabods wasted no time scoring as they put up two runs in the first inning after Tyler Clark-Chiapparelli drove in Eric Hinostroza and Parker Dunn with a two-out single. Washburn starter Head followed that up with a quick 1-2-3 bottom of the first.
Zion Bowlin started off the second with a bang as he hit his first Washburn career home run with a solo shot over the right field fence. The Rangers answered with a run of their own in the home half of the inning with one unearned run to cut Washburn's lead to 3-1.
The Ichabods extended their lead in the third with Peter Shearer's first home run of the season and then an RBI double from Steven Jacobson to put Washburn in front, 5-1.
Head continued to cruise until the fifth when the Rangers led off with back-to-back singles. The next batter attempted a bunt and the lead runner was thrown out at third on a fielder's choice. A single through the right side loaded up the bases with one out, but Head forced a pop out and then struck out the final batter of the inning to escape unharmed.
Cole Warner came in to pitch in the sixth and allowed one unearned run in the seventh and then retired the side in order in the eighth. The Ichabods added one more run in the top of the ninth on another solo home run, this time by Parker Dunn, who has already hit three this season.
Northwestern Oklahoma closed out the ninth with one run on two hits before grounding out to first base to end the game at 6-3 in favor of Washburn.
Head was credited with his second win of the season after going five innings and allowing one run on six hits and striking out five. Warner posted his first collegiate save, going four innings and allowing two runs on four hits and also striking out five. Dunn, Bowlin, and Shearer all recorded two hits with one of those leaving the ballpark. Clark-Chiapparelli and Jacobson also landed two hits.
The Ichabods will stay in Alva, Okla., for the next three games and play Rockhurst tomorrow (Feb. 7) at 3:30 p.m.
